Description
These Fried Cheesy Ground Beef Balls are a deliciously crispy appetizer featuring juicy ground beef mixed with melted cheddar cheese and flavorful seasonings. Coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust and fried to golden perfection, they make a perfect party snack or game day treat with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
Breading Station
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Breadcrumbs (extra, for coating)
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (enough for 2–3 inches deep frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, paprika, ½ cup breadcrumbs, and 1 egg. Mix everything gently until well combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs and Chill: Shape the mixture into 1½-inch balls and place them on a lined tray. Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to help the meatballs firm up and hold their shape during frying.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with extra breadcrumbs. This will be used to coat the chilled meatballs for a crispy crust.
- Bread the Meatballs: Roll each chilled meatball first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. This triple coating ensures a crunchy golden exterior after frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour 2–3 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature for even frying.
- Fry the Meatballs: Carefully fry the meatballs in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through inside.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried meatballs with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with dipping sauces like ranch, ketchup, or spicy mayo for added flavor.
Notes
- You can prepare these meatballs ahead of time and freeze them raw or cooked for convenient future snacks.
- For extra cheesy centers, stuff each ball with a small cube of mozzarella before forming and frying.
- For a lighter alternative, bake the breaded meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes until golden and cooked through instead of frying.
